Last week, council decided to issue demolition orders for two residential properties deemed dangerous on Gaspereau and Willow avenues.

The 22 Willow Ave. property has 10 safety concerns. On Nov. 26, council upheld an order to vacate apartments at 14 Gaspereau Avenue. Last week’s order listed 13 outstanding safety issues.

Both rental buildings are owned by Lorne Cavanagh and Alana McIssac-Cavanagh of Wolfville. They have been empty since last fall.

Coun. Mercedes Brian said she understood that both former family homes were beyond repair and she hopes that eventually the town will not have to take this kind of action.

“It’s a sad day,” said Deputy Mayor David Mangle. “I came here in 1982 and this is the first year we’ve had demolitions, three in less than a year.”

Last month, the town demolished a ramshackle house on Pleasant Street.

Coun. Wendy Donovan noted that after three young men died in a fire in a vacant Charlottetown business, no community can live with unsafe buildings.

“We have to send a message,” added Coun. Carl Oldham.

In November, a spokesman for the owner said the Cavanaghs intended to improve the Gaspereau Avenue property. Now Cavanagh has a one week period to appeal the demolition order, which was issued April 2.